ICT in the Classroom : A Malaysian Perspective. Dr. Salbiah Ismail ...

ICT in the Classroom : A Malaysian Perspective.Dr. Salbiah IsmailEducational Technology DivisionMinistry of Education, MalaysiaIntroductionThis paper discusses Malaysian experiences on the application of ICT in teaching andlearning in the classroom. In the Malaysian context, ICT refers to tools and enablers tomake learning more interesting, motivating, stimulating, and meaningful to the children.The teaching and learning materials using ICT is designed to accommodate differingneeds and abilities, resulting in fuller realization of their capabilities and potential, andallowing children to take greater responsibility for managing their own learning. With thehelp of ICT, the pedagogy shall:-• use an appropriate mix of learning strategies to ensure mastery of basiccompetencies and promote holistic development;• accommodate individual different learning styles, so as to boost performance;• foster a classroom atmosphere that is compatible with different teaching andlearning strategies; and• help to ensure that children are educated with critical and creative thinking skills,and inculcated with appropriate values.Background: ICT in MalaysiaSince the early 1970’s, the Malaysian government has introduced various initiatives tofacilitate the greater adoption of ICT to improve capabilities in every field includingeducation. Malaysia has a long term vision, referred to as “Vision 2020” and this visioncalls for sustained productivity driven growth, which will be achieved only with atechnologically literate, critically thinking workforce prepared to participate fully in theglobal economy. In order to support “Vision 2020” the education system has to betransformed. Transforming the educational system will entail changing the culture andpractices of Malaysia’s primary and secondary schools, moving away from memorybasedlearning to an education that stimulates thinking, creativity, caters to individualabilities and learning styles, and based on a more equitable access. The Ministry of

Education sees ICT as a means, not an end to itself. Technology is not seen as a“vitamin” whose mere presence in schools can catalyze better educational outcomes. Theconcept of ICT in education, as seen by the Ministry of Education, includes systems thatenable information gathering, management, manipulation, access, and communication invarious forms. The role and function of ICT in the classroom is seen as a teaching andlearning tool, as well as a part of a subject and a subject by itself.Examples of the use of ICT in the classrooma. The Malaysian SMART schoolThe SMART school is a government initiative and one of seven flagshipapplications that are a part of Malaysia’s Multimedia Super Corridor project. Thepilot project was launched in 1997 and ended at the end of 2002. By the year 2003,there are 87 smart schools in Malaysia. However, this number will be increased inthe Phase 1 “roll out plan” which will be taking place in the year 2004 and 2005.In the “roll out plan” another 300 primary and secondary schools will be includedas SMART schools. As for ICT in the classroom, Smart School IntegratedSolution involves the following components.• Browser-based Teaching and Learning Materials for four subjects, BahasaMelayu, English Language, Science and Mathematics. By June 2003,there are 1494 titles of courseware have been produced for the usage ofschools. In the “roll out plan” more courseware will be developed,especially for science subjects such as Physics, Biology, Chemistry andAdditional Mathematics.• A computerized SMART school management system which includesfunction “Collaboration” whereby students can exchange ideas regardingtheir projects with other students within their own school as well as interschoolswith expert supervision from teachers.• Some schools have facilities to carry out video conferencing activitieswith other schools within and outside of Malaysia.

. As a subjectICT as a subject refers to the introduction of subjects such as “InformationTechnology” and “Computerization” which are offered to students at the age of16 and 17 years old. ICT as a part of a subject refers to the intensive use ofsoftware in subjects such as ‘Invention’, Technical Drawing and EngineeringTechnology. In most schools, students are introduced to subject of “LiteracyComputer” which will equip them with the basic skills of using the computer.c. Interactive CD ROMThese are ‘Stand Alone’ courseware developed by the Educational TechnologyDivision, Ministry of Education Malaysia. These courseware covers all thesubjects offered to primary as well as secondary schools. It has been used by theteachers as one of the most effective tools to enhance teaching and learningprocesses.d. Internet usageStudents are encouraged to extract information from various sources including theusage of internet and websites. The websites provided are links to help teachersand students access educational information readily.e. Universal Services ProjectThis project is carried out by the Ministry of Energy, Communication andMultimedia and Ministry of Education Malaysia to provide ICT facilities to theschools and community in the “Infrastructure Deficit Areas” in Malaysia. Thefocus of this project is to bridge the digital divide and gap in Malaysia.Challenges• Infrastructure : physical and basic (electricity)• Connectivity• Technical Support• Stability of the system• Teachers skill and aptitude• Focus on examination (public)